The Harehope Quarry Project offers environmental education, field studies, rural skills training, community development, and community arts based from a limestone quarry in the North Pennines.
Smallholding
The project is also developing a smallholding, which is run on organic principals. The smallholding comprises 2 acres of ponds and 12 acres of grassland. The ponds are used to raise carp in an extensive system, where the fish feed on algae and other plants and their diet is supplemented with organic barley.
The fish will be sold to niche markets after 2 years. The smallholding area comprises 2 allotments used for the production of vegetables and herbs, a small orchard and 2 small paddocks for the pigs.
The various areas of grassland will be brought into a grazing regime as fencing takes place to improve the biodiversity of the limestone grassland. Currently they are used by our flock of 60 chickens that provide for our local egg round.
Latest News
- Harehope becomes a LAND Demonstration site
- 15th Nov 2011
The Harehope Quarry Project has successfully become a LAND learning centre. The learning centres are permaculture projects, who show, explain and describe to volunteers, visitors and an interested public, how the principles and ethics of permaculture are applied to their project. As a LAND learning centre Harehope Quarry will form part of an England-wide co-operative network. - Trees for Harehope
- 15th Nov 2011
The Harehope Quarry Project has received a grant from Durham County Council for 80 trees. The trees will be planted during National Tree week - 26 November - 4 December 2011. - Frosterlety goes plastic-free!
- 22nd Nov 2010
Traders in Frosterley, with the help of the ‘Working for a Future in Frosterley’ project, are introducing a scheme to reduce the use of plastic bags in the village. The scheme will be launched on 27 November 2010. Cotton bags will be available in the Frosterley branch of the Penrith Co-operative Society and at Gardiner’s Country Store on a ‘borrow and return’ basis and Turtle Bags at The Village Chip Bar. Frosterley Community School are designing their own bags that will be for sale at £2, with all proceeds going to the school. These will be available in early December.
Next Events
- Volunteer Day
- 25th Feb 2012
10.00am – 4.00pm. Join in our regular volunteering event. Tasks will include the continued work on the eco-classroom and nature reserve management. Refreshments and a light lunch are provided so if you intend to come please let us know so we have an idea of numbers. - Art exhibition and workshops with Johnnie Foker
- 10th Mar 2012
Family workshop – ‘Flying Things'. 1.30pm – 4.00pm. Join this family art workshop, with artist Johnnie Foker from Bearpark Artists Co-operative in Durham. Booking essential. Families £12.00. Refreshments available. - Art exhibition and workshops with Johnnie Foker
- 10th Mar 2012
Art exhibition. 11.00am – 3.00pm. Johnnie will be exhibiting his work at Harehope Quarry throughout the weekend. He is well known for original work inspired by his love of birdlife. There will also be an opportunity to see and buy some of Johnnie's work. Refreshments available.